How to make the ceiling in the kitchen

An important part of the renovation in the kitchen is the finish of the ceiling. In this case, the question may arise: which materials are best suited for this kind of work, because the kitchen is a room where not only beauty but also practicality is important. About how to make a ceiling in the kitchen, we'll tell in this article.

Features of the kitchen as a room

The main requirement for living rooms, halls or bedrooms, is comfort, so when decorating such premises, the focus is on the decorativeness of materials. Kitchen can also be called a kind of working room, in which the practicality and wear resistance of the finishes come to the forefront. However, like any room in the house, the kitchen should also be in a certain style, which should also be taken into account in the repair process. Before you make a ceiling in the kitchen, you should consider the features of the kitchen as a room and understand the basic requirements that facing materials should meet:

1. First of all it is worth noting that the humidity in the kitchen is not only higher than in the other rooms of the house, but alsooften changes. During cooking, a large amount of water evaporates into the environment, which settles on the walls and ceiling. That is why it is not recommended to use wood, plywood or MDF materials that perfectly absorb moisture as facing materials. From constant wetting and drying, this cladding will become unusable in a very short time.
2. Temperature differences - another feature of the kitchen. Especially the temperature difference in different parts of the kitchen is noticeable in the winter, for example, when the window is open for airing, and on several burners food is prepared. Given this factor, the material for finishing the ceiling must be selected one that can expand and contract under the influence of heat and cold, while not losing its strength.
3. During the cooking process, microparticles of fat enter the surrounding air, which settle on a sticky coating on all available surfaces. Hence one more requirement, which should match the facing material - ease of care. The easier and easier it will be to wash the surface - the better. Please also note that in the cleaning process you will have to use detergents, so the surface should not enter into chemical reactions with them.
4. The facing materials used in kitchen finishing should not absorb odors that are abundantly present in such a room.
5. Non-combustibility is another important requirement that must be met by any finishing materials. It is desirable that the cladding in general was incapable of catching fire or, in extreme cases, during the combustion did not emit toxic components.
6. Do not forget about the possibility of flooding, which can cause both leaks on the roof, and neighbors from the top. In such a case, the material with which the ceiling is finished can irreparably deteriorate and require replacement. To avoid this, it is better to give preference to water repellent materials.
7. Environmental friendliness is another important requirement for materials used in places where people will always be.
8. If the finish is planned to be hand-made, then it's worth choosing the kind of facing that you can handle yourself and do not involve specialists.
9. And, of course, we must not forget about the decorative qualities of materials, as well as the compliance of the chosen option with the overall design of the room.

In addition to all the above requirements, when choosing the type of finish, you should pay attention to such factors:

• kitchen area and the height of its ceiling;
• style in which the room is made;
• the quality of the room's lighting, the direction of light, the location of the window.

Simple and inexpensive ways of finishing the ceiling in the kitchen

Plastering the surface

Relatively simple in execution, as well as one of the cheapest options for finishing is the leveling of the ceiling with plaster and putty. With the help of such materials it is possible to create a flat surface of a strict laconic appearance, but it is possible to use decorative plaster compositions and to make the ceiling embossed.

Plaster as a finishing material has certain advantages:

1. It well tolerates moisture changes, which is a useful feature in the case of kitchens. Temperature fluctuations also have no noticeable effect on the plaster.
2. This material is absolutely non-flammable and safe in case of fire.
3. Plaster is environmentally friendly, does not release harmful substances into the environment.
4. With the help of decorative plastering the surface can be given any texture, so that the material allows you to fantasize and test yourself as a designer.

The negative properties of the material include such properties:

1. The plaster is able to absorb water and in case of heavy flooding it simply leaves the ceiling and disappears. But even if this does not happen, after the flood on the surface, there will be guaranteed divorce.
2. This material also has the property of absorbing odors, which is not very good for the kitchen.
3. In addition to odors, the plastered surface absorbs dust and particles of fat, and it is almost impossible to wash it. But these shortcomings can be addressed by additional processing of the plastered ceiling. For example, the surface can be painted with a water-repellent paint, which will facilitate the process of care of the ceiling and make it not such a mark.

Ceiling painting

A simple way to finish the ceiling in the kitchen with your own hands is its painting. To carry out repairs in the kitchen, the paint should be selected strong, non-toxic, and also washable. Before painting, the surface must be well prepared. Preparation consists in plastering the ceiling, sealing all the cracks and irregularities with putty, mashing the smallest projections with sandpaper. It is worth remembering that the paint can not hide the defects of the surface, on the contrary, it only emphasizes the shortcomings, so it is necessary to approach the leveling of the ceiling with all responsibility. Of course, such a job will require considerable time, but in financial terms, painting the ceiling is considered one of the cheapest options.

Let us examine in more detail which paints are most often used for the finishing of kitchen ceilings:

1. Polyvinyl acetate paints contain an aqueous solvent, which makes them environmentally friendly and safe for health. In addition, PVA paints are relatively inexpensive. The disadvantages of the material can be attributed to the fact that over time it changes the shade. For example, white PVA-paint after a few years turns yellow, so the ceiling will require a new repair.
2. Acrylic paints based on special acrylic resins are more expensive, but also more durable material. Such a coating does not pass water, does not fade, retains its strength characteristics for a long time. It is worth noting that the color palette of such colors is very wide, due to which the material is popular among consumers. Acrylic paint can be applied to the surface only if after plastering at least 30 days have passed.
3. Latex paints have good hydrophobicity, they do not pass water at all, so they can be washed without fear. In the process of cleaning, it is also permissible to use detergents and cleaning agents, because it is quite difficult to damage such a surface. Latex paints after drying create a very strong and dense coating, two layers of such material will be enough to mask small cracks on the ceiling. Among the drawbacks of such colors can be called their high cost, but one should take into account the durability of such a coating. The service life of latex paint is at least 15 years.
4. Silicate paints are made on the basis of liquid glass, which makes them durable and absolutely waterproof. In some cases, such paints are used as a waterproofing layer.
5. Silicone paints are the most popular material among modern buyers. These paints are produced on the basis of silicone resins. They are distinguished by their strength, good water-repellent properties, long service life, and also high elasticity. Such a coating is not afraid of temperature fluctuations, changes in the humidity level in the room, prolonged exposure to sunlight. Silicone paints perfectly fit on any surface and after drying form a uniform, dense film. Perhaps the most significant shortcoming of the material is its high price.

Suspended ceilings as a modern version of the finish

Types of suspended ceilings

A characteristic feature of suspended ceilings is that they can hide the defects of even the most uneven ceiling. As materials for creating false ceilings, wood, plastic, PVC film, plasterboard, metal, etc. can be used. The performance characteristics of the surface will be determined by the properties of the material that was used in the finish.

All suspended ceilings can be divided into 2 large groups: modular and integral structures. Modular ceilings, in turn, are rack, cassette and trellised. To the category of solid are stretch ceilings and plasterboard constructions.

The rack ceiling is a collection of long rails, often made of aluminum. This option is best suited for the kitchen, because such a surface is waterproof, fireproof, resistant to pollution, eco-friendly and easy to care for. In addition, the metal surface has a mirror effect, which makes it possible to visually expand the space in a small kitchen area. Such a ceiling is quite difficult to assemble independently, so it will be necessary to attract specialists.

The cassette ceiling is a structure consisting of a frame and modules. To create a frame, metal profiles are used, and cassettes of aluminum or mineral fiber are used as a finishing material. Mirror or glass cassettes are considered a more rare option. Over the ceiling of this type, you can easily hide not only surface defects, but also various communications. If necessary, individual parts of the ceiling can be easily removed and installed in place. The disadvantage of this finish is that it conceals some space, so it is not recommended to use such structures in rooms of small area and height.

The lattice ceiling consists of special cells, the back of which is covered by a background substrate. The shape, size and depth of the cells in such a ceiling can be different, and the lattices themselves can be painted in any shade.

More on some types of suspended ceilings, we will discuss further.

Metal ceiling in the kitchen

For a room like a kitchen, a metal ceiling is considered a very good solution, because such a facing material has a lot of positive qualities:

1. Aluminum and galvanized steel, which are most often used in such structures, are absolutely not afraid of moisture. Such ceilings are not afraid of sudden changes in the level of humidity, as well as direct contact with water.
2. Temperature differences for metal ceilings also represent no problem. The material is able to expand and contract from the temperature change, without losing its strength.
3. Metal is non-combustible material and absolutely safe in case of fire. In addition, these ceilings are environmentally friendly and do not harm human health.
4. Another plus of such designs is their practicality. Due to the absence of pores, the metal does not absorb odors, dust, dirt and grease. In case of contamination, the surface can be easily cleaned using absolutely any cleaning agents.
5. Metal ceilings are not afraid of flooding, they do not form a divorce, and the material itself will not suffer at all and will not lose its performance from direct contact with water.

Plastic ceiling in the kitchen

PVC panels are considered to be a popular material for finishing the kitchen ceiling, which is primarily due to their affordable price and ease of installation. For those who do not expect to spend large amounts of money on the ceiling lining, it is worth looking at this option. In addition to low cost, plastic ceilings have a number of other advantages:

1. PVC panels are not susceptible to corrosion due to water and high humidity.
2. Temperature differences for plastic are also not a problem.
3. This surface is easy to clean. It does not absorb dust and particles of fat, and if necessary, it is easily washed.
4. The design weighs quite a bit, and you can build it yourself, without resorting to the help of masters.
5. PVC panels do not burn, but can melt when exposed to fire. At the same time, in case of fire, such material is considered to be relatively safe, since it does not support combustion and does not release toxins into the environment.
6. Flooding from above such ceilings is also not terrible, the material will not deteriorate from direct contact with water.

Ceilings from plasterboard in the kitchen

Drywall has been very popular for many years as a finishing material. The reason for this lies in its many advantages:

1. Drywall is simple in operation. It is easily cut and even bent, so you can give the material a variety of shapes.
2. The surface of gypsum boards is perfectly flat. Such a ceiling requires minimal additional processing, which consists only in sealing the joints between the individual fragments.
3. Paint, decorative plaster and other finishing materials fit perfectly on plasterboard.
4. Such material is considered safe for the environment and does not cause harm to health.
5. It is possible to make a two-level ceiling from the plasterboard in the kitchen, and you can come up with other, more interesting designs.
6. You can hide communications and wiring behind the sheets of plasterboard installed on the frame.
7. Preliminary preparation of the surface before the finish with plasterboard is not needed at all. The most important thing in the work is to correctly install a framework of metal profiles.

If you are wondering how to properly make a ceiling in the kitchen using plasterboard, take into account some recommendations:

1. Drywall allows you to create multi-level structures and give the ceiling a variety of shapes. It is due to certain forms in the room that certain zones can be selected.
2. The circle is most often used to emphasize the center of the room, the square allows you to zonate the kitchen of a narrow layout, and rectangular shapes make it possible to hide the shortcomings of the room.
3. If the kitchen has a low ceiling and little space, multi-level structures should be avoided.
4. The one-level ceiling made of plasterboard looks restrained, laconic and elegant, and its installation does not take much time and effort.
5. In the case of multi-level structures, you will have to make more efforts, but the design of the room will turn out to be unusual and original. Multilevel is best distinguished by contrasting colors and properly selected lighting.

Stretch ceiling in the kitchen

Stretch ceilings always look stylish and expensive. As a rule, they are made of two materials: fabric or PVC films. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each of these types:

1. The fabric stretch ceiling has a high strength, it does not frighten sharp objects, as to damage it even specially - the task is not easy. Despite the strength, the fabric still can pass water. In addition, the dismantling of such a ceiling with the subsequent stretching of the same tissue is impossible, so in the case of flooding on top of the fabric will have to be removed, and then install the ceiling again. The fabric looks very attractive, has a rich assortment of textures, patterns and colors. Such a ceiling looks warm and cozy, but is more suitable for a bedroom than for a kitchen.
2. Stretch ceiling made of PVC film is considered a more acceptable option for the kitchen, because the film does not absorb moisture and dust, repels dirt. However, the strength of such material is inferior to the fabric, so with sharp objects should be careful. But, if neighbors from the top flood you, PVC canvas will hold water. Subsequently, it can be carefully drained, and the film should be dried and replaced. By the way, PVC film can withstand at least 60 liters of water per 1 m².Such material is not only not afraid of moisture, it is also not afraid of temperature fluctuations. Stretch film ceiling is easy to clean and can be cleaned with a variety of detergents.

Ceiling in the kitchen, photo:

How to make a ceiling in the kitchen.

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